Belonging in God's Family
Some Sundays I look out and see familiar faces in the chairs. Other Sundays I notice names pop up from folks tuning in online. Either way, I’m reminded—this isn’t just a gathering, it’s a family. It’s a family that stretches beyond the walls of this church, beyond our city, and even beyond what we can see.
This past week, one of our extended family members, Roger Hobbie, went home to be with the Lord. Roger was a farmer near Brookings, South Dakota, and some of you may have known him through the church or online. Even from his farm, he stayed connected, faithfully tuning in to our services, sharing cowboy jokes, and sending encouragement our way. Last Sunday, his son sent Pastor Isaac a picture of him engaging with the message as he always did, and then we learned on Monday that he had passed. His life reminded me of how God’s family reaches far and wide; how one faithful life, even from a distance, can leave an imprint of encouragement, connection, and love.
It’s moments like these that make me reflect on the depth of belonging. Whether you’re sitting in these chairs, joining us online, or simply reading these words, you are part of a family that extends beyond immediate friends and neighbors. That family is held together by prayer, connection, God’s Word, and grace. And it’s in reflecting on these four pillars that I see God’s love most clearly in action.
Prayer That Carries Us
Prayer is one of the quiet ways we carry each other. It doesn’t always make headlines or get noticed, but it’s how God knits our hearts together. I remember working on a baptism video with a dear lady who was so nervous about being on camera. She worried about saying the right words, being calm, and expressing her heart. We paused to pray, asking God to guide her words and steady her nerves. That small pause made a huge difference. Her video came out beautifully, and her baptism was a joyful celebration of faith. It was a tangible reminder that prayer doesn’t just change circumstances; it shapes hearts, builds confidence, and connects us deeply as a family in God.
I’ve also noticed those mysterious nudges to pray for someone I haven’t spoken to in months. Perhaps you’ve had those moments too. When a person crosses your mind, and you feel an unexplainable urge to lift them up in prayer. Later, you discover they were facing challenges, and your prayer was part of God’s invisible work in their life. Prayer is more than asking God for help; it’s participating in God’s movement, being part of the story even when we can’t see the full picture.
Every time I pray for someone, I notice something shifts inside me. My perspective softens, my judgment fades, and my heart leans toward understanding. It’s a small daily practice that builds a family in God, binding us together across time, distance, and circumstance.
Connection in Simple Gestures
Paul wrote about greeting one another with a holy kiss, but in our culture, that might look more like a handshake, a hug, or even a nod across the room. I’ve noticed something beautiful: when people come as first-timers, they often discover that they already know several people who attend. A casual nod turns into a conversation; a smile turns into recognition; a handshake feels like coming home.
I love watching those moments. There’s a shy mom who comes to the service with her kids, unsure if she belongs. By the end of the morning, she’s laughing with someone who has been attending for years. A first-time visitor in a cowboy hat realizes the person next to them is an old acquaintance from school. Suddenly, the unknown becomes familiar, and the nervousness fades into the warmth of belonging. That’s the magic of God’s family- there’s a place for everyone, and everyone has a role in welcoming someone new.
Even the smallest gestures matter. Remembering someone’s name, celebrating a milestone, checking in after a hard week; these acts may seem insignificant, but they ripple outward in ways we may never fully see. In a world that can feel disconnected, these moments of connection remind us that we are noticed, valued, and loved.
God’s Word as Our Foundation
Every family needs something solid to stand on, and for us, that foundation is God’s Word. I’ve watched parents bring their kids and teenagers to hear it, week after week, even when it would’ve been easier to stay home. Often, it’s actually the kids who are bringing their parents along, curious or excited about what they’re learning. That alone is a beautiful reminder of how faith can be contagious, and how the curiosity and openness of children can lead even adults to grow closer to God.
Personally, I make it a point to read my Bible every morning. That daily habit anchors me. It provides perspective, guides decisions, and keeps me grounded in the midst of life’s challenges. Some mornings I read a passage that seems almost too perfect for what I’m about to face that day, and it’s in those moments I feel God’s voice gently reminding me of His presence and guidance. Other times, the reading is more reflective, and I simply sit in awe at God’s truth. Either way, God’s Word shapes the way I see the world and my place within it.
Having a shared foundation in God’s Word also unites us as a family. It doesn’t require perfection or full agreement on every detail; it just requires a willingness to let Scripture be the anchor. That shared anchor gives us a point to return to, to discuss, to reflect on, and to build our lives upon together.
Grace as the Family Trait
Grace can be challenging, but it is perhaps the most vital trait in God’s family. I have a close family member who has hurt me in ways that cut deep. For a long time, I wrestled with bitterness, replaying conversations and reliving old wounds. But I’ve chosen to forgive her; not perfectly, not instantly, but as a conscious refusal to stay trapped in anger. We’re not especially close right now, but the relationship is slowly healing, and I’ve been learning that grace is both giving and receiving.
Every time I feel the pull toward resentment, I remind myself of God’s grace in my life. I think of all the times I’ve fallen short, all the mistakes I’ve made, and how patiently God has guided, corrected, and forgiven me. That perspective allows me to extend grace to others, even when it seems undeserved.
I’ve also seen grace in action in other people. A friend who has been deeply hurt by circumstances in their life continues to extend patience and love to those who don’t always deserve it. Witnessing that reminds me that grace is powerful, it transforms relationships, softens hearts, and creates space for hope and reconciliation.
Belonging in God’s family isn’t about having it all together. It’s about leaning into prayer, connection, God’s Word, and grace. It’s messy, it’s challenging, and it’s beautiful. Even goodbyes in God’s family are only temporary. Like the life of Roger Hobbie, whose presence still blesses us even after he has gone.
Reflection Questions
This past week, one of our extended family members, Roger Hobbie, went home to be with the Lord. Roger was a farmer near Brookings, South Dakota, and some of you may have known him through the church or online. Even from his farm, he stayed connected, faithfully tuning in to our services, sharing cowboy jokes, and sending encouragement our way. Last Sunday, his son sent Pastor Isaac a picture of him engaging with the message as he always did, and then we learned on Monday that he had passed. His life reminded me of how God’s family reaches far and wide; how one faithful life, even from a distance, can leave an imprint of encouragement, connection, and love.
It’s moments like these that make me reflect on the depth of belonging. Whether you’re sitting in these chairs, joining us online, or simply reading these words, you are part of a family that extends beyond immediate friends and neighbors. That family is held together by prayer, connection, God’s Word, and grace. And it’s in reflecting on these four pillars that I see God’s love most clearly in action.
Prayer That Carries Us
Prayer is one of the quiet ways we carry each other. It doesn’t always make headlines or get noticed, but it’s how God knits our hearts together. I remember working on a baptism video with a dear lady who was so nervous about being on camera. She worried about saying the right words, being calm, and expressing her heart. We paused to pray, asking God to guide her words and steady her nerves. That small pause made a huge difference. Her video came out beautifully, and her baptism was a joyful celebration of faith. It was a tangible reminder that prayer doesn’t just change circumstances; it shapes hearts, builds confidence, and connects us deeply as a family in God.
I’ve also noticed those mysterious nudges to pray for someone I haven’t spoken to in months. Perhaps you’ve had those moments too. When a person crosses your mind, and you feel an unexplainable urge to lift them up in prayer. Later, you discover they were facing challenges, and your prayer was part of God’s invisible work in their life. Prayer is more than asking God for help; it’s participating in God’s movement, being part of the story even when we can’t see the full picture.
Every time I pray for someone, I notice something shifts inside me. My perspective softens, my judgment fades, and my heart leans toward understanding. It’s a small daily practice that builds a family in God, binding us together across time, distance, and circumstance.
Connection in Simple Gestures
Paul wrote about greeting one another with a holy kiss, but in our culture, that might look more like a handshake, a hug, or even a nod across the room. I’ve noticed something beautiful: when people come as first-timers, they often discover that they already know several people who attend. A casual nod turns into a conversation; a smile turns into recognition; a handshake feels like coming home.
I love watching those moments. There’s a shy mom who comes to the service with her kids, unsure if she belongs. By the end of the morning, she’s laughing with someone who has been attending for years. A first-time visitor in a cowboy hat realizes the person next to them is an old acquaintance from school. Suddenly, the unknown becomes familiar, and the nervousness fades into the warmth of belonging. That’s the magic of God’s family- there’s a place for everyone, and everyone has a role in welcoming someone new.
Even the smallest gestures matter. Remembering someone’s name, celebrating a milestone, checking in after a hard week; these acts may seem insignificant, but they ripple outward in ways we may never fully see. In a world that can feel disconnected, these moments of connection remind us that we are noticed, valued, and loved.
God’s Word as Our Foundation
Every family needs something solid to stand on, and for us, that foundation is God’s Word. I’ve watched parents bring their kids and teenagers to hear it, week after week, even when it would’ve been easier to stay home. Often, it’s actually the kids who are bringing their parents along, curious or excited about what they’re learning. That alone is a beautiful reminder of how faith can be contagious, and how the curiosity and openness of children can lead even adults to grow closer to God.
Personally, I make it a point to read my Bible every morning. That daily habit anchors me. It provides perspective, guides decisions, and keeps me grounded in the midst of life’s challenges. Some mornings I read a passage that seems almost too perfect for what I’m about to face that day, and it’s in those moments I feel God’s voice gently reminding me of His presence and guidance. Other times, the reading is more reflective, and I simply sit in awe at God’s truth. Either way, God’s Word shapes the way I see the world and my place within it.
Having a shared foundation in God’s Word also unites us as a family. It doesn’t require perfection or full agreement on every detail; it just requires a willingness to let Scripture be the anchor. That shared anchor gives us a point to return to, to discuss, to reflect on, and to build our lives upon together.
Grace as the Family Trait
Grace can be challenging, but it is perhaps the most vital trait in God’s family. I have a close family member who has hurt me in ways that cut deep. For a long time, I wrestled with bitterness, replaying conversations and reliving old wounds. But I’ve chosen to forgive her; not perfectly, not instantly, but as a conscious refusal to stay trapped in anger. We’re not especially close right now, but the relationship is slowly healing, and I’ve been learning that grace is both giving and receiving.
Every time I feel the pull toward resentment, I remind myself of God’s grace in my life. I think of all the times I’ve fallen short, all the mistakes I’ve made, and how patiently God has guided, corrected, and forgiven me. That perspective allows me to extend grace to others, even when it seems undeserved.
I’ve also seen grace in action in other people. A friend who has been deeply hurt by circumstances in their life continues to extend patience and love to those who don’t always deserve it. Witnessing that reminds me that grace is powerful, it transforms relationships, softens hearts, and creates space for hope and reconciliation.
Belonging in God’s family isn’t about having it all together. It’s about leaning into prayer, connection, God’s Word, and grace. It’s messy, it’s challenging, and it’s beautiful. Even goodbyes in God’s family are only temporary. Like the life of Roger Hobbie, whose presence still blesses us even after he has gone.
Reflection Questions
- Who in your life could use a prayer from you this week? Take a moment to think about it, and let that thought guide your actions.
- When was the last time you reached out with a small gesture of connection; a handshake, a hug, a smile? Could you do it today?
- Which verse or teaching from God’s Word has been anchoring you lately? How can you let it guide your day or week?
- Where might God be inviting you to extend grace, even when it’s hard? Could forgiveness or patience open a door for healing?
- How can you practice belonging in God’s family in one simple way today? Even one small step matters.
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